CO-OPERATIVE CONCEPT

The Co-operative concept

A Co-operative is an autonomous association of persons united voluntarily to meet their common economic, social and cultural needs and aspirations through a jointly owned and democratically controlled enterprise.

The Mauritius Co-operative Agricultural MCAF Limited was founded on 16 August 1950 with main objective of defending and promoting the interests of its affiliates

It was set up at a time when small planters were facing a lot of problems which they could not solve or discuss neither individually nor at the level of primary societies.

Hence the question of joining forces together arises in order to set up the MCAF.

History of the Cooperative Movement

The beginning

Year 1901

Following the visit of the illustrious Mahatma Gandhi in 1901, he witnessed the deplorable plight of the labouring class and small sugar planting community. On his return to India, he sent Manilall Doctor a barrister from India to help out the Indian labourers.

2nd Change

Year 1913

In 1913 Co-operative movement reached Mauritius with the introduction of the cooperative ordinance to mainly cater for the cooperative cane sector and to address the plight of poor small sugar cane planters
Ever since government enacted Co-operative Act to protect and promote Co-operative welfare in various economic activities.

3rd Change

Year 1939

In 1939 the cane sale and purchase ordinance was passed to give a boost to the cane sector.

4th Change

Year 1945

In 1945 the cooperative ordinance No 51 was passed and pave the way for diversification and expansion of Co-operative activities and registration of all type of Co-operative Principles under the Co-op laws.

5th Change

Year 1960

In 1960’s the Cooperative societies Act birth

6th Change

Year 1976

In 1976 the Cooperative societies act was promulgated to cater for the major changes in the Mauritian Cooperative movement

7th Change

Year 2005

In 2005 the cooperative societies Act 1976 was repealed and replaced by Cooperatives Act 2005.